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Urinary cotinine as a measure of passive smoke exposure in asthmatic children
C J Ogborn1, A K Duggan, C DeAngelis
1Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland 21287-3144.
Insights
Secondhand smoke exposure is linked to asthma symptoms in children. Parental reports of exposure align with objective measurements, highlighting a significant association.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory disease in children.
- Exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) is a known environmental trigger for asthma exacerbations.
- Accurate assessment of SHS exposure is crucial for understanding its impact on pediatric asthma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between passive smoke exposure and acute asthma symptoms in children.
- To evaluate the correlation between parental reports and objective measures of passive smoke exposure.
Main Methods:
- Inclusion of asthmatic children aged 3 to 11 years.
- Measurement of passive smoke exposure using both parental questionnaires and urinary cotinine levels.
- Data collection during acute asthma attacks and symptom-free periods.
Main Results:
- High levels of passive smoke exposure were prevalent in most participating children.
- A significant correlation was observed between parental reports of passive smoke exposure and urinary cotinine levels.
- Passive smoke exposure was associated with acute asthma symptoms in children.
Conclusions:
- Passive smoke exposure is common among asthmatic children and linked to acute symptoms.
- Parental reporting is a reliable indicator of a child's passive smoke exposure.
- Reducing environmental smoke exposure is critical for managing pediatric asthma.
Abstract:
This study sought to determine (1) the association between passive smoke exposure and acute symptoms in asthmatic children and (2) the association between parental report and objective measures of passive smoke exposure. Asthmatic children ages 3 to 11 were eligible for the study, which involved measurement of smoke exposure by questionnaire and by urine sample at a time of an acute asthma attack and then later when the child was symptom-free. High levels of passive smoke exposure were detected at both times in most children. Parental report of passive smoke exposure correlated with urinary measure of exposure.